Top 10 highlights
The places you must have seen
Here, the boundless energy of shops, museums and festivals merges with the tranquillity of hidden courtyards and gardens. Here you can walk on the bottom of the sea or walk inside the impregnable fort Bourtange. Discover the 10 most beautiful sights of City & province.
Martinitoren
In the past 500 years, Martinitoren burned down, lightning struck and it almost collapsed. Wars were won and lost on its doorstep. The tower stood its ground and, at 97 metres, is still the city's tallest building. Climb up for a piece of tangible history and a fantastic view.
View
National Park Lauwersmeer
Of course, there was a plan behind the closure of the Lauwerszee in 1969. But no one could have predicted that the Lauwersmeer area would become one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. You won't find this combination of vistas of the horizon, magnificent flora and fauna and so much space for recreation anywhere else.
View
The Wadden
The Wadden Sea is all about the Wadden Islands? Literally maybe, but figuratively certainly not. For the splendour of the Wadden, you don't have to go to an island. From the endless horizon in Oldambt to the nature in National Park Lauwersmeer; the coast of Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site offers incredible things to see and do.
View
Forum Groningen
In the heart of Groningen's inner city stands the Forum; a meeting place for everyone curious about today's world and tomorrow's possibilities. The Forum aims to surprise and inspire with Storyworld, an enormous exhibition space with changing exhibits, 5 movie theatres, the Smartlab, restaurants, the city library and Groningen's highest roof terrace with phenomenal views and a rooftop cinema.
View
Borgen
Scattered across the province, stately houses tower above the surrounding fields, surrounded by trees and sometimes even a moat. They are the Groningse borgen, the country houses inhabited by jonkers in previous centuries. Once there were over a hundred of them in the province. Only 16 of them made it to the present day. Fortunately, they are not the least of these. Here you stap the past and discover how the rich used to live.
View
Courtyards
The Groningen courtyards used to offer free shelter to the poor, widows and sick. Nowadays, all kinds of private individuals live in these oases of calm in the city centre. At a handful you can drop in for a moment of silence. Some of the trees in the flower-filled gardens are so old that they have lived with the residents of yesteryear.
View
Shopping
In Groningen's compact city centre, you'll find well-known brands next to cosy boutiques and luxury next to quirky vintage. Some shops have been here for over a century, while others are just starting out. Around every corner is a different street with its own unique character. Stroll through the quirky shops of Folkingestraat or discover what's hiding behind the monumental facades of Oosterstraat. There is something for everyone.
View
Fort Bourtange
The defences were barely finished when the Spanish were already at the gates. Due to the combination of the bastions and the swampy marsh, the enemy soon dropped out. Even the bishop of Münster failed to conquer Bourtange. Walk inside Groningen's impregnable fortress, restored to its former glory.
View
Mound villages
Anyone who thinks Groningen is as flat as a dime is wrong. In many places in the Groningen landscape, you come across villages perched on a hill. These are the mound villages (mound villages). These villages originated in a time when dykes had not yet been invented and the land was still regularly flooded. To be able to live safely and dry, the villages were built on wide hills. You can still feel this history in the villages.
View
Groninger museum
Creative energy splashes from the walls. Beautiful or ugly? The Groninger Museum has been there since 1994, but is still the subject of discussion on modern architecture. Let that surely be reason enough for a visit. The diverse collection and innovative, occasionally quite stimulating exhibitions complete the experience.
View
" "Great adventures, you experience them in Groningen." "
